Inside Bending Spoons: Buying Airtable, AOL, Vimeo & Eventbrite

Bending Spoons operates as a unique serial acquirer of digital products, prioritizing high-impact, data-driven transformations over traditional corporate growth models. By implementing a "startup mode" within acquired companies, the firm strips away bureaucracy to foster extreme ownership and agility, allowing small teams to manage massive products like AOL. Central to this success is a radical meritocracy where leadership roles are fluid, and talent is prioritized above all else, even requiring founders to step down if a more capable candidate emerges. The company’s M&A strategy relies on aggressive pricing and a commitment to long-term product development rather than quick exits. This approach, coupled with a rigorous, scientific testing culture, enables the firm to scale complex operations while maintaining the speed and innovation typically found only in early-stage startups.